In the early years of aviation there were no rules, so when
enthusiasts had a chance to build a biplane and take it up for a
ride, they did.

In the spring of 1914, Tom Blakely from Calgary bought the
remains of a crashed Curtiss
Golden Flyer, and
advertised in a Calgary newspaper for the assistance of someone
interested in aviation. Frank Ellis replied, and the two men set
to work repairing the biplane and preparing an airfield near the
city.

By the end of June the biplane was ready, and the two took
the machine up for several very short flights. During this time,
Blakely and Ellis made a habit of sleeping in a tent near the
biplane so that they could get up early and fly, taking
advantage of the optimal calm morning air. This proved stressful
for Ellis, who was fired three times from his job for showing up
late, but who fortunately was hired back each time.

They continued to fly for the rest of the summer of 1914, and
resumed in the summer of 1915. Volatile weather eventually
caught up with the aviators, when a windstorm tore their biplane
down from where it was tied. It tumbled along the ground and was
destroyed. Blakely and Ellis were only able to salvage the
motor.